Structures of two basic elements

ABSTRACT

Structures fabricated of two basic elements comprising a plurality of long tubular frame elements generally arranged in spaced rows and a plurality of short tubular frame elements angularly disposed between and interconnecting adjacent rows, the said long and short elements being bolted together to form a plurality of modular sections of the arrangement and configuration necessary to fabricate the construction of the desired final size and shape.

United States Patent Engle [451 Apr. 18, 1972 54] STRUCTURES OF TWO BASIC 2,237,226 4/1941 High ..52/86 x ELEMENTS 3,534,515 10/1970 Beed ..52/693 X [72] Inventor: William H. Engle, Huntington, NY. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73] Assignee: Leslie 1. Parker, Poughkeepsie, NY. 134,630 1 1/ 1919 England ..52/693 1,267,765 6/1961 France... ..52/693 [221 PM: Man 23, 1970 300,169 8/1932 Italy ..56/693 [21] Appl. No.: 21,687

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 694,901, Jan. 2, 1968, Pat. No. 3,501,876.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1967 Foster ..52/646 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Assistant ExaminerGeorge 1-1. Krizrnanich Attorney-Karl L. Spivak [57] ABSTRACT Structures fabricated of two basic elements comprising a plurality of long tubular frame elements generally arranged in spaced rows and a plurality of short tubular frame elements angularly disposed between and interconnecting adjacent rows, the said long and short elements being bolted together to form a plurality of modular sections of the arrangement and configuration necessary to fabricate the construction of the desired final size and shape.

4 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 18 1912 FIG. 2

SHEET 2 BF 6 INVENTOR WILLIAM H. ENGLE ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR 18 I972 SHEET 3 BF 6 ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR 18 I972 3.656267 sum u [1F 6 INVENTOR WILLIAM H. ENGLE RNEY BY/ggiXW PATENTEDAPR 18 m2 3. 656.267

SHEET 5 OF 6 INVENTOR WILLIAM H. ENGLE ATTORNEY P'A'TENTEUAPR 18 I97? 3, 656,267

SHEET 6 BF 6 VENTO W AM H. LE

ATTORNIEY .4 zed/KW I 1 STRUCTURES OF TWO BASIC ELEMENTS This application is a continuation-in-part of my previous copending application entitled Modular Structure, Ser. No. 694,901, filed Jan. 2, 1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,501,876.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to the building industry and more particularly, is directed to modular structures of the permanent or semi-permanent type which include utmost simplicity in design and which are suitable for quick and easy assembly and disassembly procedures.

Prior. art modular structures of which I am familiar include octahederal building trusses as typified by US. Pat. No. 3,354,591 to Fuller and arch type roof constructions as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,237,226 to High. All previous modular structures include a plurality of complicated construction members and intricate construction techniques and require considerable time, expense and effort as well as the employment of skilled mechanics in order to fabricate such structures.

Such prior art modular structures as exemplified by the patents cited and indeed most constructions of either permanent or semi-permanent conventional type buildings result in relatively high building construction costs when considering the fabrication costs, the engineering costs and the labor costs required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention makes it economically feasible to provide low cost building structures which may be of a portable, semi-permanent or permanent nature for use with a variety of activities such as swimming pool enclosures, year around storage for private planes, storage buildings vacation cottages, trusses, space stations and the like. In view of the relatively simple construction techniques employed in the present invention, if desired, the structures of the type herein disclosed could be economically removed and stored upon termination of a given activity.

The present disclosure teaches a system which contributes the best of design in useful structures for either pleasure or utility. The weight of the finished structure is considerably less than buildings of equivalent size which are fabricated by utilizing conventional building materials and construction techniques. Field labor and building erection time is also minimized when utilizing the principles of construction made possible by the present invention. The fabrication of structures employing the present method and materials is achieved by use of but two different lengths of tubular members arranged in accordance with the teachings hereinafter more fully set forth. The present invention utilizes lengths of round tubular members which have been flattened at the ends and drilled therethrough for joining together a plurality of members at the junctions thereof by utilizing threaded bolts and nuts. By properly arranging the long and short members and employing the erection techniques herein taught, structures of arch shape, A-frame shape, modified A-shape, dome shape and structural trusses may be readily designed and installed, all at greatly reduced costs and requiring only semi-skilled or unskilled labor.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved construction utilizing two basic elements of the type set forth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a construction employing two basic elements which can be easily assembled and disassembled utilizing unskilled labor.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of construction utilizing two basic elements which may be joined in unique manner and arrangement to provide structures of extremely light weight and great strength.

It is another object of this invention to provide a construction of the modular type, utilizing two basic elements and which employs materials that are designed for ready assembly and disassembly using simple hand tools.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved structure utilizing two basic elements that is rugged in construction, simple in assembly and trouble-free when in use.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a structure completely assembled and collapsed for shipment in a vehicle, for instance, a space vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a structure fabricated in accordance with the present invention and flattened out prior to erection.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, detailed, exploded view of the connection of the long and short tubular members.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a modular structure employing the tubular members of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the structure of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the structure of FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an A frame type of structure.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view taken along Line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a ridged truss type of structure.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view taken along Line 1010 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a domed type construction.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view taken along Line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of my invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 show in FIG. 2 a modular section 10 which is fabricated of a plurality of first tubular members 12 and a plurality of second tubular members 14 which interconnect at the ends thereof with the first tubular members. Each end section of each first tubular member 12 is flattened to provide a flattened connection area 16 which is drilled or otherwise penetrated to receive a connecting bolt 18 as hereinafter more fully set forth. Each end section of each second tubular member 14 is similarly pressed to provide flattened connection areas 20, 20' which also are provided with bolt openings to receive the bolt 18 for joint connection purposes. Each flattened connection area 20, 20' bends at an angle of 22% from the longitudinal axis of each second tubular member 14. As best seen in FIG. 2, each respective flattened area 20, 20' at opposite ends of each second tubular member 14 bend at precisely 22 /z from the longitudinal axis of the tubular member in the opposite direction from the other respective flattened area.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, each junction 22 between first tubular members 12 and second tubular members 14 comprise a plurality of six tubular members including two first tubular members which position in end to end juxtaposition with the flattened connection area 116 overlapping and four second tubular members 14 which angularly extend from each junction 22 at an angular relation of 22% from the longitudinal axis of each first tubular member 12. It should be noted that the flattened ends 20, 20' of each second tubular member 14 secure to the flattened connection areas 16 of the first tubular members 12 by means of a threaded bolt 18 and its associated nut 24 to form a junction capable of rotation in a vertical plane through each said tubular member connection. By pulling up on the junction 22, the vertical rotation of a junction 22 can increase the perpendicular distance of the junction 22 from an associated plane drawn through immediately adjacent first tubular members to a predetermined distance. The same vertical rotation can also decrease the perpendicular distance from each said junction 22 and its associated plane drawn through the immediately adjacent first tubular members by pushing the junction 22 downwardly with respect to the tubular members. By manipulating the perpendicular distance of each junction 22 from the plane drawn through the adjacent first tubular members 12, variations in the spring of an arched structure fabricated of a plurality of modular sections 10 may readily be varied. It is the usual practice to fabricate a structure 32 by utilizing equal perpendicular distances. For example, the structure illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 may be greatly varied as desired by varying the vertical distance of each junction 22 and its associated plane drawn through the adjacent first tubular members 12. The similar vertical rotation of all joints to a similar vertical distance from the associated planes drawn through adjacent first tubular members throughout the arched structure permits any desired span to be achieved.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that the vertical rotation of the junctions 22 permits the complete modular structural units 10 to lay upon one flat plane as in FIG. 2 or to be raised to any desired arched radius as in FIGS. 4,5. As the radius of the total structural arch decreases, there is a uniform increase in the perpendicular distance of each said junction from its associated plane drawn through adjacent first tubular members in direct proportion with the decrease of the radius of the structural are. It is noteworthy that the rotation of the joined members at the junctions 22 permits a modular section 10 to be flexed in a direction either parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular members 12 or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the said tubular members. Thus, in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the members 12, 14 are flexed about the junctions 22 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the members to form an arched structure as illustrated. It should be noted that a modular section 10 may also be flexed by maintaining the members 12 in each adjacent row 26, 28, 30 in straight alignment and by varying the aligned position of each row with respect to the next adjacent row. In this manner, a longitudinally aligned structure may be formed even to a cylindrical shape if so desired. It is further noteworthy that the rotation at the junctions 22 permits an assembled modular section 10 to be shaped in any manner that is possible to be formed with the flexible sheet of paper for example.

In assembling a'modular section 10, a plurality of first tubular members 12 are first laid in a staggered relationship upon the ground in rows approximately two feet apart as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each tubular member 12 in each adjacent row 26, 28, 30, for example, has its flattened connection area 16 positioned in an overlapping relation with the flattened connec-' tion area 16 of the next longitudinally, juxtaposed tubular member 12 in the same row 26, 28, or 30. The connection areas 20, 20' of the second tubular members 14 then position against the flattened connection areas 16 of the first tubular members and angularly dispose between the rows 26, 28, 30. The flattened connection areas 20, 20 of the second tubular members position adjacent the flattened connection areas 14 of the first tubular members and angularly dispose between adjacent rows. As illustrated in FIG. 3, six flattened connection areas 16, 20, 20' of adjoining first and second tubular members 12, 14 are required to complete a tubular member junction 22. When all of the flattened connection areas '16, 20, 20 are aligned in face to face relationship, the respective bolt openings (not shown) which have been previously drilled in the connection areas, align and a bolt 18 inserts therethrough and is secured by utilizing the nut 24 in the usual manner. When all of the first and second tubular members 12, 14 are thus secured together, the modular section 10 is completed (see FIG. 2) and is ready for erection. It should be noted, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, that all of the tubular members 12, 14 that connect at a junction 22 extend in opposite directions.

When fabricating a structure 32 such as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, it is necessary to combine a plurality of modular sections 10 by employing additional rows of first tubular members joined to adjacent rows by the second tubular members 14 in angular disposition. It will be appreciated that the length of the structure 32 may be readily varied by employing more or less modular sections 10. Additionally, as hereinbefore set forth, the height of the structure or the spring of the arch may also be varied by varying the perpendicular distance of each junction 22 to a plane drawn through adjacent first tubular members positioned on either side of the junction 22. It will be appreciated that the structure illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is illustrative only and that the length of the arch 34 may be increased by employing additional first tubular members 12 placed in end to end juxtaposition and joined by second tubular members 14 in the usual manner to complete the structure. In order to form a complete enclosure, the bottom junctions 36 affix to the ground 38 in any well-known stable manner, such as by stakes set in concrete in the usual manner. A covering 40 which may be of insulated sheet material as illustrated in FIG. 6 or of pliable plastic sheet material such as vinyl sheeting, affixes over the top of the arch 34 and secures to the junctions 22 in well-known manner by clips or other fasteners to provide a weather-proof enclosure. As illustrated, the structure 32 may be fabricated with an open end 42 by simply utilizing the formed arch 34 as the entrance. If it is desired to provide a closed end 44, a plurality of additional structural members 46, 48 may be employed as necessary to form sufi"- cient structural support for the desired end closure construction. The structural members 46, 48 connect to the structure 32 at the tubular junctions 22 and may also affix to the ground 38 in well-known manner.

In erecting each structure, each modular section 10 is fabricated by employing a plurality of first and second tubular members 12, 14 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. When each section 10 is completed, the modular unit can be erected to an arched position similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 by pulling up on the junctions 22 near the center of the section. When the modular section 10 is in the arched position, the end first tubular members can then be secured to the ground 38 by the use of a plurality of anchors (not shown) in well-known manner. In an arch type structure, each junction 22 rises perpendicularly to a plane drawn through adjacent first tubular members 12.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understoodthat within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, I show the invention applied to fabricate a structure 50 which is commonly designated A-frame type." As best seen in FIG. 8, the A- frame structure 50 is fabricated utilizing only a plurality of first tubular members 12 and second tubular members 14 arranged in adjacent rows with interconnecting members similar to that previously illustrated in FIG. 2. The first tubular members 12 arrange in a plurality of spaced, parallel rows 52, 54, 56, 58 with the tubular members 12 staggered in adjacent rows one-half the length of each first tubular member. Second tubular members 14 angularly dispose between the rows 52, 54, 56, 58 and form a plurality of junctions 22 in the manner hereinbefore set forth. In fabricating an A-frame structure, each junction 22 is not raised perpendicularly above a plane drawn through adjacent first tubular members and the members 12 do not arch relative to each other as in previous arch constructions of FIG. 4-6. Rather, all of the first tubular members 12 in each row 52, 54, 56, 58 remain in longitudinally aligned position throughout the construction process. The intermediate rows 53, 55, 57, 59 position in a plane spaced from the alternate rows 52, 56, 54, 58 and the bolts 18 and nuts 24 are tightened to maintain the first and second tubular members 12, 14 in this position. As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the A-frame type of construction actually forms three trusses 60, 62, 64 which join at the respective tubular ends thereof to form a three-sided, triangular figure having great structural strength. A vinyl plastic sheet material (not shown) or insulated rigid sheet material (also not shown) may be applied over the upwardly extending truss sections 60, 62 to furnish resistance to the weather elements. If desired, the ends of the structure 66, 68 may be left open or may be enclosed as desired in the usual manner to furnish additional protection to the weather. A flooring material 61 of conventional construction spans the bottom truss 64 in conventional manner to render the structure habitable. Concrete or other supports (not shown) support the bottom truss 64 in well-known manner to affix the structure to the ground.

The great universality of the construction is further illustrated in FIG. 1 within a space vehicle 70 which may be of any. presently known or future developed type wherein an interior compartment 72 is provided to transport loads such as space stations into outer space. The present construction may be utilized to fabricate a space station by pre-assembling while on the ground a plurality of modular sections having a plurality of first and second tubular members 12, 14 bolted together at the junctions 22 in the manner heretofore set forth. The pre-assembled modular sections 10 may be rolled about the longitudinal axes of the first tubular members 12 as previously suggested to a cylindrical configuration to fit within the cylindrical interior compartment space 72 of the space vehicle 70 for erection at the final destination. Optionally, the modular sections 10 may be arranged in the configuration of tight trusses 74 as illustrated in FIG. 1 by maintaining the longitudinal alignment of all of the first tubular members 12 in each respective adjacent row 76, 78, 80, 82. The alternate rows 76, 80 position in a plane spaced from a plane drawn through the tubular members in the intermediate rows 78, 80. By positioning the adjacent rows 76, 78, 80, 82 as close as possible to each other the size of the final structure to be assembled from the modular section 10 can be maximized for each space vehicle cargo.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a ridged truss type of structure 84 is illustrated utilizing a plurality of first and second tubular members 12, 14. In order to form a truss section, a plurality of first tubular members 12 arrange in spaced, parallel rows 86, 88, 90, 92 and the first tubular members position in longitudinal alignment throughout the construction. The second tubular members 14 angularly dispose between the first tubular members 12 and form a plurality of junctions 22 in the manner previously detailed. Alternate rows 86, 90 are pulled to a plane spaced above the intermediate rows 88, 92 by rotation at the junctions 22 and keeping all of the first tubular members 12 in longitudinal alignment. In this manner, a plurality of alternate rows, for example, 86, 90 position above the intermediate rows, for example, 88, 92, with the second tubular members 14 angularly stretching between adjacent rows. Tightening the bolts and nuts 18, 24 secures the alternate and intermediate rows in the position described to fabricate an extremely strong, light-weight and readily assembled rigid truss structure 84. If desired, an apex 94 may be fabricated at any junction 22 by bending the rows 86, 88, 90, 92 downwardly about the respective junctions 22 to thus form an angularly disposed second truss portion 96. The second truss portion 96 may be equal in length to the rigid truss structure 84 or may be fabricated longer or shorter. If constructed shorter as illustrated, the end terminus of the second truss section 96 may be supported against a building 98 or by columns (not shown) or other well-known construction. If the truss sections 84, 96 are fabricated of equal length, the structure may be supported at both ends directly upon the ground or upon piers 100 in the usual manner. Additionally, if the truss sections 84, 96 are fabricated of equal length, a floor truss section and floorin (not shown similar to that illustrated in FIG. 7 may be read y fabricate to provide a structural floor of great strength.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a dome shape building 104 fabricated of a plurality of first tabular members 12 and second tubular members 14 is illustrated. As in previous constructions herein set forth, the first tubular members 12 arrange in longitudinal rows and the second tubular members 14 angularly dispose between adjacent rows. The members are similarly bolted together at the intermediate junctions 22. The structure illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 further demonstrates the versatility of the two basic member type of construction by illustrating a circularly formed construction still employing only a plurality of the two first and second tubular members l2, 14. The first tubular members 12 arrange in longitudinally juxtaposed position in separate rows. However, in the present illustration, the rows angularly dispose with respect to each other so that one end of each longitudinal row positions substantially adjacent the next said end of the next adjacent row to form a top ring 102. The opposite end of each row spaces apart from the next adjacent row a distance for example, of two feet, for stability purposes. By employing a sutficient number of rows and sufficient number of interconnecting second tubular members 14, a dome shaped building 104 as illustrated of full circular configuration may be fabricated. In those instances where it is desired to provide a semi-circular enclosure, for example an enclosure extending from a vertical wall, one-half of the number of longitudinal rows as illustrated may thus be employed.

I claim:

1. In a structure of two basic elements, the combination of A. a plurality of first tubular members arranged in end to end juxtaposition to form a row,

1. each first tubular member being of equal size and length and terminating endwardly in flattened ends,

2. a plurality of said rows being placed in side by side relation to form a plurality of spaced intermediate rows and alternate rows,

a. the said intermediate rows lying in a first plane, and

b. the said alternate rows lying in a second plane, the said second plane being parallel with and spaced from the first plane,

3. each intermediate row being longitudinally offset from each alternate row by a distance equal to one-half the length of a tubular member; and

B. a plurality of second tubular members diagonally connecting adjacent intermediate and alternate rows,

1. each said second tubular member being of equal size and being shorter in length than the first tubular members.

2. each second tubular member terminating endwardly in flattened ends,

a. each second tubular member having a diagonal axis relative to the said rows,

b. the said ends being angularly offset from the axis,

3. each second tubular member being respectively angularly disposed between adjacent intermediate and alternate rows and being angularly disposed between the first and second planes,

4. the flattened ends of the second tubular members being bolted to the first tubular members at the flattened ends thereof to form a plurality of modular joints,

a. each modular joint comprising six flattened ends,

namely, one flattened end from each of two first tubular members and one flattened end from each of four second tubular members.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the side by side relation between intermediate and alternate rows is parallel.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the side by side relation between intermediate and alternate rows is parallel and equal.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the side by side relation between intermediate and adjacent rows angularly increases. 

1. In a structure of two basic elements, the combination of A. a plurality of first tubular members arranged in end to end juxtaposition to form a row,
 1. each first tubular member being of equal size and length and terminating endwardly in flattened ends,
 2. a plurality of said rows being placed in side by side relation to form a plurality of spaced intermediate rows and alternate rows, a. the sAid intermediate rows lying in a first plane, and b. the said alternate rows lying in a second plane, the said second plane being parallel with and spaced from the first plane,
 3. each intermediate row being longitudinally offset from each alternate row by a distance equal to one-half the length of a tubular member; and B. a plurality of second tubular members diagonally connecting adjacent intermediate and alternate rows,
 1. each said second tubular member being of equal size and being shorter in length than the first tubular members,
 2. each second tubular member terminating endwardly in flattened ends, a. each second tubular member having a diagonal axis relative to the said rows, b. the said ends being angularly offset from the axis,
 3. each second tubular member being respectively angularly disposed between adjacent intermediate and alternate rows and being angularly disposed between the first and second planes,
 4. the flattened ends of the second tubular members being bolted to the first tubular members at the flattened ends thereof to form a plurality of modular joints, a. each modular joint comprising six flattened ends, namely, one flattened end from each of two first tubular members and one flattened end from each of four second tubular members.
 2. each second tubular member terminating endwardly in flattened ends, a. each second tubular member having a diagonal axis relative to the said rows, b. the said ends being angularly offset from the axis,
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the side by side relation between intermediate and alternate rows is parallel.
 2. a plurality of said rows being placed in side by side relation to form a plurality of spaced intermediate rows and alternate rows, a. the sAid intermediate rows lying in a first plane, and b. the said alternate rows lying in a second plane, the said second plane being parallel with and spaced from the first plane,
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the side by side relation between intermediate and alternate rows is parallel and equal.
 3. each intermediate row being longitudinally offset from each alternate row by a distance equal to one-half the length of a tubular member; and B. a plurality of second tubular members diagonally connecting adjacent intermediate and alternate rows,
 3. each second tubular member being respectively angularly disposed between adjacent intermediate and alternate rows and being angularly disposed between the first and second planes,
 4. the flattened ends of the second tubular members being bolted to the first tubular members at the flattened ends thereof to form a plurality of modular joints, a. each modular joint comprising six flattened ends, namely, one flattened end from each of two first tubular members and one flattened end from each of four second tubular members.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the side by side relation between intermediate and adjacent rows angularly increases. 